Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-08-03
Stauntotl Spectator.
:. WEDNESDAY,. AUGUST 8, 1887.
Biz Stone Gap. /

At and around the l0callgy nameu III Jig
title of this. artitle, there are at this time
many real and speculative interests at
work. Capital-and enterprise seeking rail-
road openings, and investments in iron ana
coal resources and lumber material 1oresSs
have been drawn to that center OF COM
paratively recent attraction. 10 cross the
Cumberland chain of mountains without
the expense of tunnel in locating rail-
road track of proper grades, was deemed
an impossibility, and Cumberland Gap, |
where a tunnel of large proportions was
conceded necessary, was also deemed the
proper point of crossing when the confer
ences took place between the Louisville and
Norfolk and Western railroad interests
The work of building such railroad was
commenced by Virginia in 1853, byl
branching at Bristol, Tenn, from the great
Southwestern line from Norfolk to Men,
phis. The war coming on ended operations,
and the State afterwards ceased under the
requirements of its fundamental law to en-
gage in such works.
All efforts having failed to build the line
to Cumberland Gap, the people OF Bristol,
and the interior country, towards the Ken
lucky line, interested, began to work out
the problem of a narrow gauge road. They
acquired possession of the right OF way ana
the work done on the projected line, but
with new lights and more investigation IN
finding a route across the mountains,
changed the direction after penetrating the
interior of Scott county, pointing the new
course to Big Stone Gap, in Wise county,
about seventy-fve miles north OF the pass
known as Cumberland Gap, the hitherto
adopted route for railroad connections be-
tween Kentucky and Southwest Virginia.
AS to what then followed reference will be
made further on, as there is a previous
chapter of circumstances connecting the
Big Stone Gap of the past, and then scarce-
,ly known, with the present looming with
marvellous interest that is worthy OF being
related
The questions in State politics in 1871,
were of grave character, and the members
of the General Assembly then returned,
were in large measure, new men, who
had come upon the arena and unknown IN
the role of legislators before the war. A.
L. Pridemore was returned from the coun-
ties of Lee, Wise and Buchanan, to the
Senate. 1t was far-of interior district,
averaging seventy miles or more from the
nearest line of railroad with no early pros
pect of having its condition improved
through such agencies. The young Sena-
tor was not medium man either in form
ing or expressing his views. There was
manliness and sincerity in his style that
won him friends, and all could discern he
was there to promote the interests OF mis-
constituents and to serve the State with Ii
deity.
The management of the Chesapeake and
Ohio line of railway was then engaged in
pushing it's completion to the Kentucky
border, which was accomplished in 1874
In that, as we'll as many other interests of
like kind to different parts of the State,
there were frequent conferences and ex-
change of views, generally under the aus
pices of the Richmond Chamber Of Com
merce. Members of the Legislature inter
ested, attended, and among them was Gen
eral Pridemore. Before coming to the
Legislature, he had consulted with his peo-
pie, and in canvassipg his district he had
gathered much new information about the
resources of that section, and the subse-
quent movements to build the narrow
gauge railroad referred to, doubtless had
commencement then in the minds of the
people. He took part in the discussion,
and his hearers were amazed as they list
ened to his sketches of the evidences OF
great natural wealth in his district, aud
furthermore that it was practicable to cross
the Cumberland mountains with a railroad
of easy grades without the expense of a
tunnel, and then he specified that it could
be done at Big Stone Gap, in Wise county.
At and around that locality he cited the
surface evidences of great coal basins and
immense iron deposits, whilst the forests
and valleys and streams were their own
witnesses to every beholder. At that time
no surveyors transit had run lines to the
portals, and passing through the natural
tunnel of several hundred feet in Scott
county, overcoming chief obstacle in the
route of railroad by that grand work of
nature. Nor was it known then that it
sRas practicable to pass the mountain bar
rier without mourning the cost OF leBg
tunnel. Asserting the existence of the
then scarcely known natural wealth Of the
region, and claiming that at the Big Stone
Gap was a surface route for railroad line,
the reader can we'll imagine the attention
the speaker received in his earnest utter
ances.
In these meetings General John D. I'M
boden was an attentive participant. He
then saw General Pridemore for the first
tisne and having never visited the locality
of his theme, noted his sayings, and how
they were employed several years after
wards, we shall DOW see-
1t was about the close Of 1879, General
Imboden was in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
In conversation with gentlemen engaged
in iron and coal developments, he narrated
the facts as he had heard them from Gen.
Eorldemore in relation to Southwest Vlr-
ginia, on the borders of Kentucky and
Tennessee. A response was made at once
TO General imboden, asking him to have
the locality investigated with the aid of a
geoligist, the expense of which they would
cheerfully bear. Imboden consented, and
the distinguished Professor of Geology, in
the University of New York, John ].
Stevenson, accompanied him to the field
The survey was made, General Imboden
remaining with the Professor during the
time. 1t was lengthy and complete docu-
ment with illustrations, and was published
in the Virginias in February and March,
1881. The scientific research and expiora-